By Craig Michaels
Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge continues the successful legacy of the Holiday Wreath Auction by hosting the 25 th annual event to benefit the LGBT Community Center of the Desert (The Center) and the Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, on Monday, December 2, 2019 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM.
Donated hand-crafted wreaths will be on display at Eight4Nine, 849 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs starting on November 26, in anticipation for this festive fundraiser. For 21 years, the annual Wreath Auction was hosted at Streetbar in the Arenas Business District, and raised over $300,000 for local charities, including AIDS Assistance Program
and The Center, among others. Because of the success and growth in size of the event, in 2016, the Holiday Wreath Auction moved to Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge in the Uptown Design District, to keep the holiday tradition of crafting and giving alive. Co-Owners Willie Rhine & John Paschal are thrilled that Eight4Nine has the opportunity
to host the Wreath Auction once again. A cornerstone of their philosophy is “giving back.” Their mission: “Being of Service.” And as many people know, Willie’s favorite two words are “be nice.”
Every year the Wreath Auction features one-of-a-kind wreaths created by local artists, designers, decorators, and hobbyists, at all price points available for bidders. True to the holiday spirit, all proceeds collected from the event benefit two local nonprofits that connect humans and furry family alike: The Center and the Friends of the Palm Springs
Animal Shelter.
In 2018, thanks to the generosity of all the wreath crafters and bidders, the Wreath Auction raised nearly $18,000 for the beneficiaries. This year, I am excited to return as auctioneer to continue this successful tradition. You can drop off donated wreaths to Eight4Nine after November 25, or drop off anytime to The Center, 1301 N. Palm Canyon Dr, or at the PS Animal Shelter, 4575 E Mesquite Ave before the event. To book your reservations for Eight4Nine during the Wreath Auction, call 760-325-8490.
